Your Ultimate Guide to Creating a Successful Rogerian Essay

Throughout their education, students receive numerous essays when it comes to debating and providing viewpoints. There are many ways to organize such pieces. In this article, we will have a closer look at the method suggested by Carl Rogers, aiming to make opposing sides listen to each other and reach a compromise. Rogerian Argument method can be used for both oral and written discussions. Rogerian essay is quite common for students who study sociology and humanities. Keep on reading to find helpful tips and a detailed explanation of the writing process and main elements of Rogerian essay type.

What is a Rogerian Essay?

Let us begin with the definition of a Rogerian essay. This paper follows a special technique that can be used for solving argumentations and finding common ground between different viewpoints remaining in the same position. It is not as argumentative as a classic 5-paragraph essay, and it gives more insight into the opinion of the opposite side but does not persuade anybody to change their mind. Rogerian essay encourages respecting and considering all points of view on a certain issue.

The aims of Rogerian essay

To understand the aim of this method more deeply, let us compare it with an ordinary argumentative essay. The common viewpoint aims to prove that your point of view is more valid and reveal the weaknesses of your opponent. On the other hand, the Rogerian method aims to:

• Define mutual interests
• Determine a starting point for future communication and cooperation
• Exchange issues openly
• Win the readers’ trust and attention

When to Use the Rogerian Method?

This approach is far from being universal for any argument paper. It is especially helpful while discussing the highly arguable issues when people can be subjective and emotional. This method helps opponents avoid false claims, opinionated ideas, and offensive viewpoints and understand each other better. If you are about to deal with this method, be ready that it is extremely different from all the conventional papers you have written before.

The Key Characteristics of Rogerian Essays

Now that you know what this method is, let’s pay attention to its specifics.

Dialogical

To prepare for writing Rogerian essay, you need to imagine who your readers are and what their possible questions and issues may be. Organize the whole essay as a conversation with your audience.

Harmonious

You should find an optimal way to present not only your thoughts but also your opponents’ thoughts and issues equally. Balancing between them is challenging, but you can be objective only if you treat both points of view equally and find common ground.

Not convincing

Although it is still an argumentative essay, the author shouldn’t persuade the readers to follow his point of view, and this is the biggest peculiarity of this essay. It is unacceptable to attach your audience and impose your opinion of them. Better, start a reasonable conversation with them.

Not explanatory

While writing Rogerian essay, stay on a neutral and objective side. However, this doesn’t mean that your piece should be simply descriptive or explanatory. It is necessary to give the context of the researched issues, but the main part should be presenting evidence and having a dialogue with your readers.

The Paper Structure According to the Rogerian Method

The structure of this paper is specific and requires much attention to the opposite point of view. Before you move on to writing, study it thoroughly and define common ground. Here are the main parts to include in a Rogerian essay:

Opening

Introduce the issue and highlight why there are opposing viewpoints and numerous approaches to it.

Opposite viewpoint

Present the general approach to the investigated issue. Then, move on to the opposing thoughts. If they are complex, describe them briefly and give more details later. In case it is straightforward, explain it right away in a few paragraphs. Consider these things when you write this part:

• Be fair and present these thoughts as if they were yours
• Don’t provide too many details
• Refer to credible literary sources where this viewpoint is described in detail.

Validation

Highlight why the opponent’s viewpoint is rational and logical. Show respect and understanding of these ideas and that you understand why some people may think so. Analyze the strong evidence and accept that they are reliable. Be attentive and make sure you don’t miss anything important to avoid being accused of hiding facts.

Your viewpoint

After you clarified the opposite perspective, move on to yours. Firstly, present a common belief so that the audience knows that you don’t aim to pressure them. Give details and describe your opinion accurately in a few paragraphs.

Validation

Mention why your viewpoint is also worth the readers’ attention and give substantial evidence and facts to back it up. Don’t be convinced that your opinion is better, more rational, etc. On the contrary, be respectful and focus on supporting your ideas with credible evidence.

Exchange of viewpoints

The issues discussed in such papers are complex, so it is better to divide them into narrower points. Single out the conflicting points and explain the grounds for them. Then, contrast your and your opponent’s evidence to a certain subject segment. Make sure to represent both sides equally. Such organization is more logical, and the different sides will be more clear for readers.

Define the common points

After presenting the contrasts, single out the similarities. They will serve as a meeting point for future collaboration.

Advantages of your position

At the end of the essay, sum up all the significant points and slightly move the readers towards accepting your position rather than the opposing one.

4 Best Tips to Write an a-Grade Rogerian Essay

As you see, this method of organizing a Rogerian paper is very different from conventional ones. That’s why it can be a issue for many students to deal with it effectively. Here are the tips that will simplify the process and make it more effective.

Define the similarities and contrasts beforehand

Before writing, make a simple chart of common and different ideas. If there is nothing mutual between you and your opponents, such a method won’t work out for your piece.

Be equal

Add the same number of evidence for both sides. This way, the structure will look more balanced and organized.

Stay neutral

Stick to the neutral and objective side. No need to convince the audience and reveal your disrespect as you won’t seem reputable and objective to the readers.

End with a positive perspective

Make optimistic prognoses towards continuing the discussion. The final sentence should show your interest in it and encourage opponents for further evidence exchange.

3 mistakes to avoid

Now that you know what to do and what to include let’s talk about don’ts in the Rogerian papers

Arguments with no evidence

Unless your idea is not supported by credible evidence, don’t add it to your paper: this indicates subjectivity and a lack of professionalism.

Free interpretation of the opposing thoughts

Don’t misrepresent or distort the opposite ideas; simply rephrase them and don’t try to manipulate.

Don’t make unclear conclusions

Don’t stop exchanging issues and reach the natural outcome of your discussion. Include all the important points and only then reach the common ground. The summarizing should be clear and emerge logically from the issue exchange.

To Wrap Up

Rogerian essay type is a real issue for most students, especially inexperienced ones. We hope that all the information and pieces of advice we provided were useful and helped you deal with this demanding assignment. If you still think that you need more expert help, you can find it on this website.

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